Ye Fang sat cross-legged upon the cold ground, the 'Dark Purple Spirit Grass' gripped firmly between his palms. He closed his eyes, sinking his consciousness into his inner sea. As he entered a state of deep meditation, the medicinal herb began to radiate an ethereal purple luminescence. The Spiritual Qi contained within the blade of grass began to seep through his skin, flowing directly into his meridians.
Ye Fang felt no searing pain or turbulence; instead, his physique absorbed the energy as ravenously as parched earth soaking up a seasonal rain. The pure essence surged through his veins before eventually settling within his Dantian. Gradually, the Spirit Grass withered into ash, its primordial essence now fully integrated into Ye Fang's Dantian, forging a formidable foundation.
When Ye Fang finally snapped his eyes open, a flash of deep purple gleam flickered within his pupils. He exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, feeling every pore in his body expand. His fists pulsed with a raw power far greater than before.
The Little System bowed mid-air, its voice crisp. "Congratulations, Host! You have successfully refined the Spirit Grass into your Dantian. Your cultivation foundation is now firmly established."
Ye Fang clenched his fists, feeling the surge of strength. "So... this is the power for which mortals stake their very lives." As his internal energy stabilized, a familiar, rhythmic hum resonated within the humble hut.
[Ding!]
A cerulean digital screen manifested before him:
Notification: Congratulations, Host! You have reached the First Stage of the Body Tempering Realm.
[Reward!]
Ten Golden Talismans drifted outward from the screen. Ye Fang reached out, his fingers brushing against the shimmering paper. The Little System spoke with a hint of pride, "Congratulations, Host! These talismans possess immense power. Five of them are Offensive Talismans capable of suppressing a Golden Core cultivator. Use them wisely for protection; they are single-use treasures."
Pointing toward the remaining five, the System's tone turned solemn. "The other five are Buff Talismans meant to augment your prowess, but you currently lack the Secret Arts required to activate them."
Ye Fang stowed the talismans away, a sense of security washing over him. "No matter. I shall acquire those techniques soon enough."
He transferred the treasures into his System Space. Drained of stamina and feeling the pangs of hunger from the breakthrough, he rummaged through the dark corners of the hut, eventually finding a few wild spirit fruits in a weathered pot. Though they were shriveled and dry, to him, they tasted like a celestial feast. After sating his hunger and quenching his thirst, he collapsed onto his tattered mat. The exhaustion of the day's ordeal finally took its toll, and he drifted into a deep slumber within moments.
Roughly an hour and a half passed. Suddenly, the space behind Ye Fang's head began to ripple like water. A small, obsidian Spatial Portal tore open, emitting a chilling, mysterious fragrance. A hand emerged—clearly non-human. It possessed bluish-black skin, long, slender fingers, and razor-sharp black nails, resembling the hand of a high-tier Femme Demon.
The hand did not strike. Instead, it reached out with a strange, haunting affection, gently caressing Ye Fang's hair. After a lingering moment, it withdrew into the void, and the portal vanished. The hut returned to its silent stillness. Ye Fang slept on, blissfully unaware of the dark entity that had just touched his soul.
At the first light of dawn, Ye Fang stirred. His body felt fundamentally altered—a cold, heavy energy coursed through him, reminiscent of viscous magma flowing through his veins. His Dantian felt vast, its capacity significantly expanded.
[Ding!]
The System screen ignited:
Notification: Congratulations, Host! You have achieved an Epiphany Breakthrough while slumbering. You have advanced to the Early Stage of the Qi Refining Realm.
Ye Fang stood frozen in shock. "What? Qi Refining while asleep? How is this possible?" A faint, dark-purple aura shimmered across his skin before vanishing into his pores. He could feel his God-Demon Physique thrumming with life, his senses now keenly attuned to the world's natural Qi.
"System, explain this anomaly!" he demanded.
The System's voice remained cryptic. "Host, your God-Demon Physique instinctively siphoned the excess energy from the environment overnight. The System then processed this essence, facilitating your advancement."
The System remained silent regarding the mysterious hand.
Ye Fang stood up, clenching a fist. The sound of his joints popping was more menacing than ever before. His senses were razor-sharp; he could even hear the sound of individual dew drops falling in the forest outside.
"Regardless of how it happened... this power is incredible," he muttered, completely unaware of the shadow that had accelerated his rise.